ARÌNA: “BUT WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO GET HOLD OF ANY NOBLE THAT’S WORTH HAVING?”
Arìna. But Alexièy Dmìtrievich isn’t one of that kind.
Agàfia. No, no! not for the world! He’s got a beard! And when he eats soup, it’ll all run down his beard. No, no, no! I won’t, I won’t!
Arìna. But where are you going to get hold of any noble that’s worth having? You can’t go and pick him up in the street!
Agàfia. Fèkla Ivànovna will find me one; she promised to find me a splendid one.
Arìna. But, my precious one, she’s a liar.
(Enter Fèkla.)
Fèkla. Oh no, Arìna Pantelèymovna; it’s a sin to give people a bad name for nothing.
Agàfia. Ah! Fèkla Ivànovna! Now then, tell me quick, have you found any one?
Fèkla. Yes, yes; only don’t hurry me. I’ve been tearing about so—let me get my breath! I’ve been all over everywhere on your business—at the Departments, at the Ministries, running all over the place.... Why, do you know, little mother, I nearly got beaten on your account—it’s true! That old woman that arranged the Afèrov’s marriage—you know—she just flew at me. “What are you after here?” says she, “taking the bread out of other people’s mouths. Keep to your own quarter!” says she. And I told her right out, “I’ll do anything for my young lady,” says I, “so you needn’t put yourself out about it.” However, I don’t mind the trouble; I’ve got you a fine set of suitors. I can tell you there never were such fine ones since the world began, and never will be. Some of them will come to-day—that’s why I ran in to tell you.